Atlanta is characterized by its distinct skyline, Southern charm, flourishing opportunities for business and being the headquarters of internationally recognized companies such as Coca Cola and CNN. Adding to the city’s claims to fame, Movoto Real Estate Blog has named Atlanta the fifth most creative city in the country! With a huge variety of unique and trendy neighborhoods, Atlanta is a perfect location to foster creativity.

Coming in behind artistic cities such as San Francisco and Portland, Atlanta may not always be considered a creative place to live. However, with the fourth highest number of art schools and the seventh highest performing arts per capita, the numbers certainly speak for themselves. Atlanta has the fifth highest number of art galleries, the seventh highest number of bookstores and the eleventh highest number of music stores. Additionally, with the seventh highest number of colleges and universities, Atlanta has plenty of young artists, musicians and performers looking to express their talent and creativity. However, this trend extends beyond the younger population to the professional arts and entertainment industry, which makes up 11 percent of Atlanta’s workers.  Check out Movoto Real Estate Blog to see how Atlanta stacked up to other cities.

Here are just a few examples of Atlanta’s most artistic neighborhoods:

1. Midtown: If you’ve ever visited Midtown, you already know why Atlanta was chosen as one of the most creative cities. Midtown is home to venues such as the High Museum of Art, Woodruff Arts Center, Fox Theatre and the Center for Puppetry Arts. As Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhood, locals and visitors can explore this urban area with ease. Midtown offers homes of many shapes and sizes, from historic Atlanta homes to modern apartments, and contains an eclectic mix of inhabitants including families with children.
2. Inman Park: Inman Park is one of Atlanta’s premier artistic hubs, offering trendy restaurants and cafes, art galleries and indie shops such as A Cappella Books. Linking Inman Park with nearby Cabbagetown is the infamous Krog Street Tunnel, which features an incredible collection of graffiti created by local artists over the years. Established in 1890, Inman Park was one of the country’s first garden suburbs and Atlanta’s first planned community. Residents of this area get to celebrate the most popular neighborhood festival in town at the annual Inman Park Festival, held every last weekend in April. For those wishing to get a feel for this neighborhood, book an overnight stay at Urban Oasis or Sugar Magnolia Bed and Breakfast.
3. Candler Park: Situated on a serene layout of public trails and gardens, Candler Park features a quirky collection of boutiques, cafes, restaurants and yoga studios. Due to this unique combination of natural charm and modern appeal, Candler Park is home to both the family-oriented as well as the young and trendy. This neighborhood is home to the original Flying Biscuit Café, one of Atlanta’s most-loved spots for Southern breakfasts, as well as specialty bakeries and grocery stores, neighborhood bars with local craft beers, and plenty of coffee shops for residents to enjoy a hot beverage while they work on their laptops.
4. Decatur: Decatur boasts a variety of local performing arts centers, eateries and craft brewing companies, as well as plenty of hubs for the academically inclined thanks to its close proximity to Emory University and the CDC. Residents can sell and purchase local artwork at the Decatur Market and Gallery, attend events at the Little Shop of Stories independent bookstore, or catch a local performance at Onstage Atlanta, The Process Theatre or CORE Studios. In addition to its modern and trendy atmosphere, Decatur is populated by historic houses and shady trees, and has a tremendously kid-friendly atmosphere.
5. Westside: Set within the industrial backdrop of Atlanta’s former manufacturing district, the Westside has flourished into one of the city’s premier destinations for art, nightlife and gourmet dining. Theater lovers can catch a local performance at The Goat Farm Expression Arts Center or the Actor’s Expression Theatre Company, while those who favor quiet galleries can visit the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center or the Westside Cultural Arts Center. As the location of mixed-use developments such as Atlantic Station and the Westside Arts District, this neighborhood provides residents with convenient access to live, work and play.

Whether you love modern theatre, urban graffiti, folk art or simply the laid-back atmosphere of a local café, Atlanta has something to offer the artist in all of us. With so many unique neighborhoods to choose from, the possibilities for creativity and a fantastic lifestyle are endless!